Multi-functional Circuity for Communications Networks and Methods and Devices Utilizing Same

ABSTRACT

The present subject matter relates to methods, circuitry and equipment providing a multi-functional, cost effective, media independent, open platform for communication services using differential signaling interfaces. The methods, circuitry and equipment comprise a plurality of input amplifiers, output amplifiers, and multiplexer switches or resistive dividers, which provide the ability to monitor, provide service protection switching, provide redundant services, provide on-demand service, provide service upgrades, security, test, and troubleshoot any communication devices and services.

BACKGROUND

The telecommunication network is based on numerous standards, whichcollectively define the framework for an interoperable and reliabletelecommunication infrastructure. These standards define thespecifications and requirements for the communication services, theequipment used, and their operations. Although these standards have beeninstrumental in the success of the telecommunication network, thetelecommunication network is comprised with an abundance of proprietaryequipment and complex network management systems, which requiresignificant costs, time, and effort to manage. Communication equipmentis typically design with specific functionality with dedicated mediainterfaces, such as wired and optical Ethernet. Examples are a Routerwith five RJ45 Ethernet ports and two optical SC fiber port, or anEthernet switch with twenty optical LC fiber ports. Although theseexamples of specific design communication equipment are cost effective,the fixed functionality and dedicated media interfaces cannot addressall service applications such as monitoring or TAP, redundancy,on-demand, security and testing or troubleshooting.

Prior art communication equipment used for monitoring services isdesigned with dedicated media interface, such as wired or opticalEthernet. The telecommunication market is very competitive, which themarket demands more cost effective and efficient services. To achievecompetitiveness, the telecommunication network must simplify and becomea unified platform of services and equipment. The telecommunicationnetwork is slowing evolving towards this optimization model. Theoptimization in services involves standardizing on Ethernet as thetelecommunication services. The optimization in equipment is to usecommercial off-the shelf (COTS) equipment or white boxes. White boxesare equipment with generic standard hardware, but the equipmentfunctionality is upgradable and provisionable with software. Softwaredefined networks (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) providethe framework to achieve this optimization.

Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) units are standardized units adaptedto be inserted within a chassis. A suite of specifications, produced bythe SFF (Small Form Factor) Committee, describe the size of the SFPunit, so as to ensure that all SFP compliant units may be insertedsmoothly within one same chassis, i.e. inside cages, ganged cages,superposed cages and belly-to-belly cages. Specifications for SFP unitsare available at http://www.sffcommittee.com/ie/index.html.

SFP units may be used with various types of exterior connectors, such ascoaxial connectors, optical connectors, and various other types ofelectrical connectors. By way of further background, small form factorpluggable modules are used to provide a flexible means of providingcommunication services for the telecommunication network. The mechanicalform factor and electrical interface are defined by an industry standardmulti-source agreement (MSA). The pluggable module is typically deployedon communication network equipment such as an Ethernet switch, a fibermultiplexer, or media converters. SFP transceivers are designed tosupport optical and wired Ethernet, TDM SONET, Fibre Channel, and othercommunications standards. Due to its small and portable physical size,SFP's are defined through multisource agreements (MSAs). MSAs areagreements for specifications of pluggable transceivers agreed to byvendors and service providers or users. MSAs allow other vendors todesign transceivers to the same specifications reducing risk for vendorsand operators, increasing flexibility, and accelerating the introductionof new technology. MSAs for SFP pluggable modules are define for XFP,XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, QSFP, QSFP+, and CXP technologies.MSA define the SFP pluggable modules electrical, mechanical, andsoftware characteristics for the applicable functionality. MSA-compliantpluggable transceivers are standardized among equipment vendors andnetwork operators to support multiple sources for pluggable transceiversand interoperability. As such, MSA-compliant SFP pluggable transceivershave become the dominant form of optical transmitters and receivers inthe industry.

MSA-compliant SFP pluggable modules ensure product interoperabilitybetween various applications and end-equipment. Due to the low cost,size, and interoperability, small pluggable modules are used extensivelyin all communication service applications (cell backhaul, metro, andcore network applications).

Presently, communication equipment using SFP devices prevent the use ofother vendors SPF devices. This restriction prevents the ServiceProvider the ability to use more cost-effective SFP devices. Thisrestriction also prevents the Service Provider from using more availableSFP devices, and this restriction can prevent the Service Provider fromdeploying or restoring services.

In general, different prior art communication equipment can providedifferent functionality such as monitoring, security, and protectionswitching. The following prior art references provide general backgroundinformation regarding the monitoring of communications networks, andeach are herein incorporated by reference:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,293 entitled Method and Apparatus for MonitoringTelecommunication Signals, issued to Mahoney on Feb. 3, 1998.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,613 entitled High Impedance Probe for MonitoringFast Ethernet LAN Links, issued to Walker et al. on May 15, 2001.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,209 entitled In-Line Power Tap Device for EthernetData Signal, issued to Gromov on Dec. 13, 2005.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0159008 entitled System and Method forMonitoring End Nodes Using Ethernet Connectivity Fault Management (CFM)in an Access Network, published to Sridhar, et al. on Jul. 20, 2006.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0257262 entitled Zero-Interrupt NetworkTap, published to Matityahu, et al. on Nov. 17, 2005.

The following prior art reference provides general backgroundinformation regarding the security of communications networks, and isherein incorporated by reference:

U.S. Pat. No. 8,000,682 entitled Apparatus and Method for RestrictingAccess to Data, issued to Tischer, et al. on Aug. 16, 2011.

The following prior art references provide general backgroundinformation regarding protection switching for communications networks,and each are herein incorporated by reference:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,443,789 entitled Protection Switching Mechanism, issuedto Glaser, et al. on Oct. 28, 2008.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0031129 entitled Smart Ethernet EdgeNetworking System published to Arseneault, et al. on Feb. 7, 2008.

SUMMARY

Multi-functional circuitry for communications networks is provided incost effective, media independent communication equipment capable ofproviding the functionality of service monitoring, service protectionswitching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, testing,troubleshooting and/or service upgrades. The presently disclosedcircuitry and equipment provide the ability to provide these variousfunctionalities using small pluggable devices.

The circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure address theoptimization of the network by providing an open hardware platform formonitoring services, for providing service protection switching,providing on-demand service delivery services and other functionality.Media independence is realized by using COTS equipment small form-factorpluggable (SFP) units.

The presently disclosed methods of providing monitoring services usingSFP devices allow service monitoring with any desired physical medium.The Service Provider or Customer can monitor services using single-modefiber, multi-mode fiber, 10/100/1G or 10G wired Ethernet or any otherphysical medium type. By providing monitoring services with any desiredphysical medium, this allows the Service Provider or Customer nolimitations on distance, and the flexibility to monitor services withany type of equipment and installation.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure providethe functionality of monitoring or tapping, including the ability to:

-   -   monitor or tap any service type.    -   monitor or tap any physical media type.    -   monitor or tap any connector type.    -   monitor or tap the service without interfering with the service.    -   monitor or tap the full content and bandwidth of the service.    -   monitor or tap the service without any distance limitation.    -   monitor or tap the service if the service is not connected.    -   provide security when monitoring or tapping the service.    -   inject signal into the uplink service with any physical media        type.    -   inject signal into the downlink service with any physical media        type.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure providethe functionality of accessing or cut-through, including the ability to:

-   -   access any service type.    -   access any physical media type.    -   access any connector type.    -   access the full content and bandwidth of the service.    -   access the service without any distance limitation.    -   access the service if the service is not connected.    -   provide security when accessing the service.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure providethe functionality of redundancy, including the ability to:

-   -   provide redundancy of the uplink path (or path 1) with any media        type.    -   provide redundancy of the downlink path (or path 2) with any        media type.    -   provide redundancy of both paths with any media or connector        types.    -   provide monitoring of the secondary path during uplink path (or        path 1) redundancy (i.e. during a protection switch operation).    -   provide monitoring of the secondary path during downlink path        (or path 2) redundancy (i.e. during a protection switch        operation).    -   provide cut-thru of the secondary path during uplink path (or        path 1) redundancy (i.e. during a protection switch operation).    -   provide monitoring of the cut-thru secondary path during        downlink path (or path 2) redundancy (i.e. during a protection        switch operation).

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure provideon-demand functionality, including the ability to:

-   -   provide on-demand service from a monitoring, cut-through, or        redundancy operation.    -   provide on-demand service with any media type.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure providethe functionality of security, including the ability to:

-   -   limit access to the communications network service to approved        devices.    -   limit access to the communications network service to approved        users.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure provideflexibility in providing the communications network service, includingthe ability to:

-   -   provide service for any media type or mix of media types; wire,        coax, fiber, or wireless services.    -   extend wireline, fiber, or wireless services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of prior artmonitoring equipment designed to monitor communications network service.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of alternate priorart monitoring equipment designed to monitor communications networkservice.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of thecommunication equipment of the present disclosure providing monitoringfunctionality.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment ofthe communication equipment of the present disclosure providingmonitoring functionality.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the alternate embodiment ofthe communication equipment of FIG. 4 providing cut-throughfunctionality.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating distance limitations of theprior art monitoring equipment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal distortion limitationsof the prior art monitoring equipment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the implementation of securitymeasures in the communication equipment of the present disclosure tolimit access to the communications network service to approved devices.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the implementation of securitymeasures in the monitoring equipment of the present disclosure to limitaccess to the communications network service to approved users.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the communication equipmentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of an embodiment of the communication equipmentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top view of an embodiment of the communication equipment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of monitoring ofthe uplink path (or path 1).

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of injecting frompath 6 into the uplink path (or path 2).

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of cut-thru of thesecondary paths (or path 5 and path 6) into the uplink paths (or path 1and path 2).

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of monitoring ofthe downlink path (or path 8) through path 4.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of injecting frompath 3 into the downlink path (or path 7).

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of cut-thru of thesecondary paths (or path 3 and path 4) into the downlink paths (or path7 and path 8).

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of monitoring ofthe uplink path (or path 1) through path 5 and the downlink path (orpath 8) through path 4.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of injecting fromthe secondary path (path 6) into the uplink path (path 2) and ofinjecting from the secondary path (or path 3) into the downlink path (orpath 7).

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of cut-thru of thesecondary paths (or path 5 and path 6) into the uplink paths (or path 1and path 2) and cut-thru of the secondary paths (or path 3 and path 4)into the downlink paths (or path 7 and path 8).

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of redundancy ofthe uplink paths (or path 1 and path 2).

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of redundancy ofthe downlink paths (or path 7 and path 8).

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of redundancy ofboth the uplink paths (or path 1 and path 2) and the downlink paths (orpath 7 and path 8).

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure provisioned for the functionality of on-demandservice.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of on-demandservice.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication equipmentof the present disclosure providing the functionality of testing theservice by routing the signal back to its source.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure with retimers on port 1 path 2 and port 4 path 7.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure with retimers on port 1 path 2, port 2 path 4, port 3path 5, and port 4 path 7.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure with three ports.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure with three ports and retimers.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure with three ports and retimers and using resistivedividers.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary communicationequipment incorporating one or more aspects or features of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 35 is a circuit diagram of Port 1 (Primary Uplink) of thecommunication equipment of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a circuit diagram of Port 2 (Secondary Uplink, DownlinkMonitor/Inject, or Downlink Cut-Thru) of the communication equipment ofFIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a circuit diagram of Port 3 (Secondary Downlink, UplinkMonitor/Inject, Uplink Cut-Thru) of the communication equipment of FIG.34.

FIG. 38 is a circuit diagram of Port 4 (Primary Downlink) of thecommunication equipment of FIG. 34.

FIG. 39 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as a Multiplexer and Amplifier.

FIG. 40 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as a retimer.

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as a microprocessor of the communicationequipment.

FIG. 42 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as an 10/100 Ethernet interface of thecommunication equipment.

FIG. 43 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as clocking and RS232 interface of thecommunication equipment.

FIG. 44 is a circuit diagram of an integrated chip of the presentdisclosure functioning as integrated circuit drivers for themicroprocessor.

FIG. 45 is a circuit diagram of a first set of LED indicators of thecommunication equipment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 is a circuit diagram of second set of LED indicators of thecommunication equipment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 is a circuit diagram of the power management of thecommunication equipment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure are basedon a circuit architecture comprising a plurality of input amplifiers,output amplifiers, and multiplexer switches. The number of inputamplifiers, output amplifiers, and multiplexer switches are determinedfrom the number of differential signal paths. The circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure comprises an open hardware platformusing COTS equipment small form-factor pluggable (SFP) units.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure alsoprovide the ability to monitor, provide protection switching andredundant services, provide on-demand service, provide service upgrades,security, test, and troubleshoot any devices and services. Accordingly,a multi-functional and cost effective open platform for communicationservices using small pluggable form factor (SFP) devices, integratedcircuits with SERDES interfaces, or any other devices, equipment, orintegrated circuits using differential signaling interfaces, is providedherein. This open platform will not restrict the use of ServiceProviders' SFP devices for providing communication services.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure allow theuser flexibility to tap and access communication services using anyphysical medium such as a wire, wireless, fiber, or coax medium. Thusthe user may require any specific medium for monitoring or othercommunication services. The user will also have the flexibility to useany interface connector type for monitoring and accessing communicationservices. Thus the user may require any specific interface connector formonitoring and accessing communication services.

Accordingly, the methods, circuitry and equipment of the presentdisclosure provide numerous advantages, novel features and/orimprovements in providing various communication services forcommunication networks, including but not limited to providing thefunctionality of service monitoring, service protection switching,redundancy, on-demand service, security, testing, troubleshooting and/orservice upgrades. Discussed below and shown in the drawings are some ofthese advantages, novel features and/or improvements. Additionaladvantages, novel features and/or improvements will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon examination of the disclosure herein andthe accompanying drawings, or may be learned by production or operationof the examples.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure providethis ability and functionality in a manner which is media independent.As such, the methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosureare suitable for use in instances where the user may require specificcable mediums and cable interface connectors to monitor or perform otherservices due to service application or installation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as illustrated, prior art devices aredesigned to monitor service using a fixed connector type; RJ45 jack, LCfiber connector, or SMA coax connector, FIG. 1 (Prior Art). This priorart equipment is also designed to monitor service using fixed connectionmediums, such as Cat5e, Cat6, multi-mode fiber, single-mode fiber, orRG59 coax cables, FIG. 2 (Prior Art). For example, the user monitoringthe service may only have equipment with fiber connections. If themonitoring equipment has a dedicated wire interface, the user must mediaconvert the wired to fiber interface. However, there are no suchlimitations with respect to the methods, circuitry and equipment of thepresent disclosure, and no such conversions would be necessary. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the methods, circuitry and devices of the presentdisclosure allow monitoring of services using any media type andconnections, as SFP ports are provided such that the user can insert anappropriate SFP unit having any desired or required external connector.

Use of the prior art monitoring equipment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2involves the added cost of purchasing and installing expensivemonitoring equipment, or dedicated monitoring circuitry must beconnected with existing communication equipment. The circuitry of thepresent disclosure can be easily integrated into other communicationequipment such as a Network Interface Device (NID), Router, or EthernetSwitch, which would allow any such equipment to monitor services costeffectively. For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of thecircuitry of the present disclosure integrated into a router. Inaddition to cost savings, integration of the presently disclosedcircuitry into other communications equipment may be beneficial wherethe installation location or area is space restricted, such that theuser may not be able to install additional monitoring equipment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the present disclosureintegrated into a router, and illustrating the additional functionalityof providing the ability for the user to cut-through and fully accessthe communication service. In this embodiment, the cut-through functionallows the user to transmit and receive signals for testing and otherservice operation and maintenance functions.

Additionally, certain applications may require monitoring equipment tobe located an appropriate distance away from the transport equipment.Privacy, security, and convenience are examples of such applications. Ifthe monitoring equipment is designed using a short distance fiberconnector, a fiber splitter, or RJ45 Ethernet, the monitoring equipmentmust be located within the distance limitation of the monitored serviceconnection. As such, the user may require monitoring services at aspecific distance. For example, if the monitoring equipment is designedusing RJ45 Ethernet connector, the monitoring equipment must be locatedwithin 100 meters of the monitoring service, as illustrated in FIG. 6(Prior Art). Because of its open platform, the methods, circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure will allow the user to monitor andaccess services at any distance the user requires, without any distancelimitation.

Another advantage or benefit is that the methods, circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure allow the monitoring ofcommunication services when the wired service connection is notterminated or not terminated properly. Monitoring equipment using highimpedance bridging may not be able to monitor services if the connectionis not terminated or not terminated properly. An un-terminated orimproperly terminated connection will cause signal reflections on theservice. This signal reflection will distort the service and prevent theservice from being monitored, as illustrated in FIG. 7 (Prior Art). Themethods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure will allow nodisruption of the monitoring the uplink services when the downlinkservice connection is not connected properly or is disconnected.

Referring back to FIG. 1 (Prior Art), it should be understood that priorart monitoring equipment can allow anyone to monitor service simply byconnecting to the port of the monitor device. The methods, circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure provide the ability to restrict themonitoring of services.

As shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9, security monitoring isaccomplished by allowing specific type of devices for monitoring, e.g.,only approved or authorized SFPs, as in FIG. 8, and/or by allowingspecific users to monitor, e.g., only approved or authorized users, asin FIG. 9. The methods, circuitry and equipment of the presentdisclosure provide the ability to provide security by restricting themonitoring and accessing of services. The user can restrict themonitoring services for specific users or guidelines. Any suitableauthentication or authorization procedures can be used in connectionwith the steps illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 as is or may be known inthe art of authentication/authorization of users and equipment.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure alsoimprove the security of the Service Provider's equipment by preventingthe uplink device or connection from removal. This is accomplished bythe position and orientation of the SFP unit, which improves servicereliability by ensuring that the uplink service is inaccessible fromtampering or accidental removal. By preventing the uplink service deviceor connection from removal, the security of the Service Provider'sequipment is improved.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of anexemplary communication equipment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, four SFP ports are aligned or positioned in a two by two,front to front orientation. An RJ45 jack provides an RS232 craftinterface for communication equipment and service status, and equipmentprovisioning.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of an embodiment of anexemplary communication equipment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, two GMT type indication fuses are positioned horizontally.The two GMT type indication fuses provide redundant A-B input powerfeeds for the communication equipment. The GMT type indicator fuseprovides a mechanical indicator when the fuse is opened duringovercurrent conditions. A five position removable terminal blockprovides the dual input power connections and an electrical contact forGMT fuse alarm. A shielded RJ45 10/100BaseT Ethernet jack providesremote access for the communication equipment and service status andequipment provisioning. An RJ14 jack provides a communications interfacefor an external controller module.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of anexemplary communication equipment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, a top cover is used to protect the electronic circuitassembly. The top cover provides LED indicators for equipment andservice status when the communication equipment is horizontallyinstalled on a wall.

With respect to monitoring, the methods, circuitry and equipment of thepresent disclosure provide the ability and functionality of injectingand cut-thru using any media type. The user has the flexibility toprovide injecting and cut-thru in the primary uplink, primary downlink,or both ports. In FIG. 13, the port 3 path 5 monitors of the primaryuplink (port 1) secondary path 1. In FIG. 14, port 3 path 6 can injectinto the primary uplink (port 1) path 2 for testing. In FIG. 15, port 3paths (path 5 and path 6) can cut-thru into the primary uplink (port 1)paths (path 1 and path 2) for testing. In FIG. 16, port 2 path 4monitors the primary downlink port 4 path 8. In FIG. 17 the port 2 path3 can inject into the primary downlink port 4 path 7 for testing. InFIG. 18, port 2 paths (path 3 and path 4) can cut-thru into the primarydownlink port 4 paths (path 7 and path 8) for testing. In FIG. 19, port3 path 5 monitors the primary uplink port 1 path 2, and port 2 path 4monitors the primary downlink port 4 path 8. In FIG. 20, port 3 path 6can inject into the primary uplink port 1 path 2, and port 2 path 3 caninject into the primary downlink port 4 path 7. In FIG. 21, port 3 paths(path 5 and path 6) can cut-thru into the primary uplink port 1 paths(path 1 and path 2) for testing. In addition, port 2 paths (path 3 andpath 4) can cut-thru into the primary downlink port 4 paths (path 7 andpath 8) for testing.

With respect to redundancy, the methods, circuitry and equipment of thepresent disclosure provide the ability and functionality of serviceprotection switching (i.e. redundant services) using any media type. Theuser has the flexibility to provide redundancy in the uplink or downlinkpaths for reliability. The user also has the ability to provideredundant service simultaneously from the uplink or downlink path. Theability to provide redundant services in any direction or in bothdirections will allow the user to ensure the service reliability in allapplications.

FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the flexibility of the methods, circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure to provide redundancy in one or bothpaths for reliability. FIG. 22 illustrates the provision of redundancyof the primary uplink port 1 paths (path 1 and path 2) with thesecondary uplink port 2 paths (path 3 and path 4) with any media type.The primary downlink port 4 paths (path 7 and path 8) maintain service.FIG. 23 illustrates the provision of redundancy of the primary downlinkport 4 paths (path 7 and path 8) with the secondary downlink port 3paths (path 5 and path 6) with any media type. The primary uplink port 1paths (path 1 and path 2) maintain service. FIG. 24 illustrates theprovision of redundancy of both primary uplink port 1 path (path 1 andpath 2) and primary downlink port 4 paths (path 7 and path 8) with anymedia type. The secondary uplink port 2 paths (path 3 and path 4) andthe secondary downlink port 3 paths (path 5 and path 6) maintainservice.

Further, the methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosurecan provide multiple functionality at the same time. For example, thefunctionality of monitoring or the functionality of cut-thru can beprovided at the same time that the functionality of redundancy is beingprovided. FIGS. 13-21 are illustrative of this. In FIG. 13, the port 3path 5 monitors the primary uplink port 1 path 1. In FIG. 14, port 3path 6 can inject into the primary uplink port 1 path 2 for testing. InFIG. 15, port 3 paths (path 5 and path 6) can cut-thru into the primaryuplink port 1 paths (path 1 and path 2) for redundancy (i.e. during aprotection switch operation) as illustrated. In FIG. 16, port 2 path 4monitors the primary downlink port 4 path 8. In FIG. 17, the port 2 path3 can inject into the primary downlink port 4 path 7 for testing. InFIG. 18, port 2 paths (path 3 and path 4) can cut-thru into the primarydownlink port 4 paths (path 7 and path 8) for redundancy (i.e. during aprotection switch operation) as illustrated.

Still further, the methods, circuitry and equipment of the presentdisclosure can provide the user with On-Demand, additional service whenprovisioned for a redundant, monitor, or cut-thru operation. The usercan add an additional service without the need to install additionalequipment or travel to the facility to add service. As illustrated inFIG. 25, this On-Demand service can be added when the circuitry andequipment of the present disclosure is provisioned in “normal”,“monitor”, “cut-thru”, or “redundant” operations. FIG. 26 illustrates anOn-Demand service being provided via the circuitry and equipment of FIG.25. This on-demand service can be provided with any media type.

The methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosure alsoallow the user to test the service by routing the communication signalsback to their source. FIG. 27 illustrates this primary method of testingthe service path. For the primary uplink port 1, path 1 routes back topath 2. For the primary downlink port 4, path 8 routes back to path 7.Overall, the methods, circuitry and equipment of the present disclosurewill allow the use the ability to fully access (transmit and receive)the communication service, 10/100/10GE, SAN, SONET, Video, etc., toperform diagnostic, troubleshooting, or other functions from amonitoring or tap function.

FIG. 28 illustrates a block diagram of circuitry of the presentdisclosure involving four ports; Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, and Port 4 andeight differential signal paths. Port 1 has two differential signalpaths, P1 and P2. Port 2 has two differential signal paths P3 and P4.Port 3 has two differential signal paths P5 and P6. Port 4 has twodifferential signal paths P7 and P8.

There are four input broadband differential amplifiers A0, A1, A2, andA3. The broadband differential amplifiers provide amplification andconditioning of the input signal. There are four multiplexer switchesM0, M1, M2, and M3. The multiplexer switches functions as a crosspointswitch, demultiplexer, or multiplexer for routing the signals. There arefour high speed output differential amplifiers Y0, Y1, Y2, and Y3. Thehigh speed output differential amplifiers provide fixed or variableoutput voltages with and without pre-emphasis.

Port 1 comprises a Path P1 representing an input differential signal anda Path P2 representing an output differential signal. Port 2 comprises aPath P3 representing an input differential signal and a Path P4representing an output differential signal. Port 3 comprises a Path P6representing an input differential signal and a Path P5 representing anoutput differential signal. Port 4 comprises a Path P8 representing aninput differential signal and a Path P7 representing an outputdifferential signal.

Path P1 input differential signals connect to the input differentialamplifier A1. The output signal from differential amplifier A1 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This output signal from differentialamplifier A1 connects to the input of Multiplexer Switch M1 and M0.

Path P2 output differential signals connect to the output differentialamplifier Y3. The input signal to differential amplifier Y3 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This input signal to differentialamplifier Y3 connects to the output of Multiplexer Switch M3.

Path P3 input differential signals connect to the input differentialamplifier A0. The output signal from differential amplifier A0 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This output signal from differentialamplifier A0 connects to the input of Multiplexer Switch M0 and M1.

Path P4 output differential signals connect to the output differentialamplifier Y2. The input signal to differential amplifier Y2 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This input signal to differentialamplifier Y2 connects to the output of Multiplexer Switch M2.

Path P5 output differential signals connect to the output differentialamplifier Y0. The input signal to differential amplifier Y0 connects tothe output of Multiplexer Switch M0.

Path P6 input differential signals connect to the input differentialamplifier A2. The output signal from differential amplifier A2 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This output signal from differentialamplifier A2 connects to the input of Multiplexer Switch M2 and M3.

Path P7 output differential signals connect to the output differentialamplifier Y1. The input signal to differential amplifier Y1 connects tothe output of Multiplexer Switch M1.

Path P8 input differential signals connect to the input differentialamplifier A3. The output signal from differential amplifier A3 can be adifferential or common-mode signal. This output signal from differentialamplifier A3 connects to the input of Multiplexer Switch M3 and M2.

FIG. 29 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of thecircuitry of the present disclosure. The circuitry includes differentialinput amplifiers A0, A1, A2, and A3, multiplexers M0, M1, M2, and M3,retimers RT1 and RT3, and differential output amplifiers Y0, Y1, Y2, andY3. The RT1 retimes the primary downlink signal to port 4 path 7 and RT3retimes the primary uplink signal to port 1 path 2. RT1 and RT3 removehigh-frequency jitter from the input signal and producing an outputsignal with reduced jitter.

FIG. 30 illustrates another block diagram of the circuitry of thepresent disclosure. The circuitry includes amplifiers A0, A1, A2, andA3, multiplexers M0, M1, M2, and M3, retimers RT0, RT1, RT2, and RT3,and differential output amplifiers Y0, Y1, Y2, and Y3. This embodimentincludes retimers on port 1 path 2, port 2 path 4, port 3 path 5, andport 4 path 7 to remove high-frequency jitter from the input signal andproduce an output signal with reduced jitter.

FIG. 31 illustrates a block diagram of the circuitry of anotherembodiment of the present disclosure having three ports (Ports 1-3) andsix paths (Paths 1-6). The circuitry includes differential inputamplifiers A0, A1, A2, multiplexers M0, M1, and M2, and differentialoutput Y0, Y1, and Y2. This embodiment provides monitoring, cut-thru,and redundancy using three ports. On-demand functionality is notsupported in this embodiment due to the implementation of only threeports.

FIG. 32 illustrates a block diagram of the circuitry of anotherembodiment of the present disclosure. The circuitry includesdifferential input amplifiers A0, A1, A2, multiplexers M0, M1, and M2,retimers RT1 and RT2, and differential output Y0, Y1, and Y2. Theretimers function to remove high-frequency jitter from the input signaland produce an output signal with reduced jitter. This embodimentprovides monitoring, cut-thru, and redundancy using three ports.On-demand functionality is not supported in this embodiment due to theimplementation of only three ports.

FIG. 33 illustrates a block diagram of the circuitry of anotherembodiment of the present disclosure. The circuitry includesdifferential input amplifiers A0, A1, A2, splitters SP0, SP1, SP2, andSP3, retimers RT1 and RT2, and differential output Y0, Y1, and Y2. Inthis embodiment, the splitters SP0-SP3 take the place of the multiplexerswitches M0-M2 in the previous embodiment of FIG. 32. The splitterSP0-SP3 impedance must match the differential impedance of the signallines, which is 100Ω. Each splitter SP0-SP3 will have a resistor value Rof 16.5Ω 1%. This embodiment provides monitoring, cut-thru, andredundancy using three ports. On-demand functionality is not supportedin this embodiment due to the implementation of only three ports.

FIG. 34 is a detailed block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thecommunication equipment of the present disclosure providing thefunctionality described above. The communication equipment isillustrated as having four ports (Ports 1-4), eight paths (Paths 1-8),four input broadband differential amplifiers A0-A3, four multiplexerswitches M0-M3, and four high speed output differential amplifiersY0-Y3. The equipment also comprises a processor, a clock, a real timeclock, LED indicators, a craft interface, a management interface, andpower management.

FIG. 35 is a circuit diagram of the primary uplink port 1. Connector CN1accepts SFP+ pluggable devices, resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 are pullupresistors for open impedance connections. Integrated circuit U2 is aninverter for the primary uplink SFP+ device open drain loss-of-signal(LOS) connection. Capacitors C8, C9, C12, and C13 and Ferrite beads FB2and FB3 provide power supply filtering for the SFP+ device.

FIG. 36 is a circuit diagram of the primary downlink monitor, inject,and cut-thru, secondary port 2 (as illustrated in FIGS. 16-18respectively), which is also the secondary uplink port for On-demandservices (as illustrated in FIG. 25). Connector CN3 accepts SFP+pluggable devices, resistors R10, R11, R12, and R13 are pullup resistorsfor open impedance connections. Integrated circuit U2 is an inverter forthe primary uplink SFP+ device open drain loss-of-signal (LOS)connection. Capacitors C16, C18, C20, and C21 and Ferrite beads FB6 andFB7 provide power supply filtering for the SFP+ device.

FIG. 37 is a circuit diagram of the primary uplink monitor, inject, andcut-thru, secondary port 3 (as illustrated in FIGS. 19-21 respectively),which is also the secondary downlink port for On-demand services (asillustrated in FIG. 25). Connector CN4 accepts SFP+ pluggable devices,resistors R15, R16, R17, and R18 are pullup resistors for open impedanceconnections. Integrated circuit U2 is an inverter for the primary uplinkSFP+ device open drain loss-of-signal (LOS) connection. Capacitors C17,C19, C22, and C23 and Ferrite beads FB8 and FB9 provide power supplyfiltering for the SFP+ device.

FIG. 38 is a circuit diagram of the primary downlink port 4. ConnectorCN2 accepts SFP+ pluggable devices, resistors R5, R6, R7, and R8 arepullup resistors for open impedance connections. Integrated circuit U2is an inverter for the primary uplink SFP+ device open drainloss-of-signal (LOS) connection. Capacitors C10, C11, C14, and C15 andFerrite beads FB4 and FB5 provide power supply filtering for the SFP+device.

FIG. 39 is a circuit diagram of an integrated circuit U3 providing theinput broadband amplifiers, output broadband amplifiers, and the 2-1multiplex-demultiplexer circuitry. U3 is represented by a MicrosemiVSC7111 11.5 Gbps Quad Signal Conditioner Mux/Demux or VSC7113 10.3 GbpsQuad Signal Conditioner Mux/Demux part. The VSC7111 and VSC7113 devicesoperate at a maximum frequency of 11.5 Gb/s and 10.3 Gb/s, respectively.The VSC7113 device is cost optimized for LAN 10G Ethernet services,whereas the VSC7111 device can also support WAN 100 Ethernet.

FIG. 40 is a circuit diagram of the retimer circuitry, an integratedcircuit U1. The retimer is required for customer applications requiringlow jitter and to meet the requirements of SFF-8431 Enhanced Small FormFactor Pluggable Module SFP+, Revision 4.1, Jul. 6, 2009. U1 isrepresented by a Texas Instrument DS110DF111 Multi-Protocol 2-Channel8.5-11.3 Gb/s Retimer or DS110DF125 Multi-Protocol 2-Channel 9.8-12.5Gb/s Retimer part. A 25 MHz clock oscillator X1 provides a stablereference to the U1 device.

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram of an integrated circuit U10 which willprovide the communication, control, and management of the communicationequipment. U10 is represented by a Qualcomm NXP Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2processor. The K66144M180F5V2 processor is a highly integrated processorwith an ARM M4-Cortex processing core for multitasking. TheK66144M180SF5V2 processor supports an Ethernet controller with MII andRMII interface to connect an Ethernet PHY for the remote managementinterface. The K66144M180SF5V2 processor supports two UniversalAsynchronous Receiver Transmitter UARTs to connect a RS232 transceiverfor the local craft interface and the controller port interface. Forinternal communications within the communication equipment, theK66144M180SF5V2 processor supports the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) modules. The K66144M180F5V2 processorhas 1 MB program flash memory and 256 kB of SRAM for storage andprocessing of equipment and service status and provisioning.

FIG. 42 is a circuit diagram of the remote management interface, whichprovides an external remote connection for communication equipment andservice status and provisioning. The remote management interface is anEthernet 10/100BaseT connection. Integrated circuit U6 is an Ethernet10/100BaseT physical interface (PHY) and J1 is an integrated RJ45connector, which incorporated the RJ45 connector, transformer, passivetermination, and LED status indicators. A 25 MHz crystal X4 is providedfor the Ethernet device U6.

FIG. 43 is a circuit diagram of the real-time clock circuitry, theprocessor clock circuitry, and the craft port interface circuitry. Thereal-time clock provides timing and timing stamps for the communicationequipment and communication service events. Integrated circuit U8 isrepresented by a Microchip MCP79510 real-time clock calendar withbattery switchover. A 32.768 kHz crystal X2 is provided for timingreference for the MCP79510 device U5. Integrated circuit X3 is a 50 MHzclock oscillator for the Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2 processor U10.Integrated circuit U9 and connectors J1 and J3 provide the craftinterface and controller module communication functionality. The craftinterface provides an external local connection for communicationequipment and service status and provisioning. U9 is represented by anExar SP3232EEY Dual RS-232 Transceivers. J1 and J3 are represented by astandard RJ45 and RJ12 jack, respectively.

FIG. 44 is a circuit diagram of integrated circuit drivers U4, U5, andU12, which the Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2 processor U10 uses tocommunicate and control other integrated circuits. Integrated circuit U5is represented by an NXP PCA9544 4-Channel I2C and SMBus Multiplexer.Using the NXP PCA9544 device U5, the Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2 processorU10 can use a single I2C module to communicate to each of the four SFPports. Integrated circuit U4 is represented by a Texas Instrument (TI)SN74LV1T34 Single Power Supply Single Buffer Gate CMOS Logic LevelShifter. Using the TI SN74LV1T34 device U4, the Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2processor U10 3.3V GPIO lines can interface to the MicrosemiVSC7111/7113 2.5V control line. Integrated circuit U12 is represented bya Texas Instrument (TI) TXB0304U 4-Bit BidirectionalLevel-Shifter/Voltage Translator. Using the TI TXB0304U device U12, theKinetis K66P144M180SF5V2 processor U10 3.3V SPI module can interface tothe Microsemi VSC7111/7113 2.5V SPI module U3.

FIGS. 45 and 46 are circuit diagrams of visual indicators, lightemitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are used to convey visual status andprovisioning indication on the communication equipment, communicationservice, and SFP devices. The Kinetis K66P144M180SF5V2 processor U10controls the LEDs.

FIG. 47 is a circuit diagram of the power management circuitry. Powersupply PSI is represented by a standard DIP24 power supply module 7-10watts with a 4:1 wide power input 18-72 and a 3.3V output. A DC-DC buckconverter U15 provides 2.5V for the Microsemi VSC7111/7113 U13 device.Standard diode rectifiers CR3, CR4, CR7, and CR8 provide A-B input DCpower redundancy.

While the embodiment(s) disclosed herein are illustrative of thestructure, function and operation of the exemplary method(s), circuitry,equipment and device(s), it should be understood that variousmodifications may be made thereto with departing from the teachingsherein. Further, the components of the method(s), circuitry, equipmentand device(s) disclosed herein can take any suitable form, including anysuitable hardware, software, circuitry or other components capable ofadequately performing their respective intended functions, as may beknown in the art. It should also be understood that all commerciallyavailable parts identified herein can be interchanged with other similarcommercially available parts capable of providing the same function andresults.

While the foregoing discussion presents the teachings in an exemplaryfashion with respect to the disclosed method(s), circuitry, equipment,and device(s) for communication services, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the present disclosure may apply to othermethod(s), system(s), device(s), equipment and circuitry forcommunication services. Further, while the foregoing has described whatare considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it isunderstood that various modifications may be made therein and that thesubject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms andexamples, and that the method(s), system(s), device(s), equipment andcircuitry may be applied in numerous applications, only some of whichhave been described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. Communication equipment circuitry comprising: a plurality of port connectors; a plurality of input differential amplifiers; a plurality of multiplexer switchers or resistive dividers; and a plurality output differential amplifiers; wherein the circuitry defines a plurality of paths between the plurality of port connectors.
 2. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein a first port connector defines a first path representing an input differential signal and a second path representing an output differential signal.
 3. The circuitry of claim 2, wherein a second port connector defines a third path representing an input differential signal and a fourth path representing an output differential signal.
 4. The circuitry of claim 3, wherein a third port connector defines a fifth path representing an output differential signal and a sixth path representing an input differential signal.
 5. The circuitry of claim 4, wherein a fourth port connector defines a seventh path representing an output differential signal and an eighth path representing an input differential signal.
 6. The circuitry of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of retimers.
 7. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of port connectors are adapted to connect an SFP device.
 8. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is media independent.
 9. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is adapted to provide at least one of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, testing, troubleshooting and service upgrades.
 10. A communication device, comprising: a plurality of ports; and circuitry defining a plurality of differential signaling paths between the ports; wherein the plurality of differential signaling paths provide at least one of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, testing, troubleshooting and service upgrades.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein a first port defines a first path representing an input differential signal and a second path representing an output differential signal.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein a second port defines a third path representing an input differential signal and a fourth path representing an output differential signal.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein a third port defines a fifth path representing an output differential signal and a sixth path representing an input differential signal.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein a fourth port defines a seventh path representing an output differential signal and an eight path representing an input differential signal.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of port are SFP ports.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the circuitry comprises a plurality of input differential amplifiers, a plurality of multiplexer switchers or resistive dividers, and a plurality output differential amplifiers.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the circuitry further comprises retimers.
 18. The device of claim 10, further comprising a processor, timing LED indicators, a status and provisioning interface, and power management.
 19. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is one of monitoring equipment, a network interface device, a router and an Ethernet switch.
 20. A method of providing media independent, multi-functional services in communication equipment, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of SFP ports; providing circuitry defining a plurality of differential signaling paths between the ports; and provide at least one of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, testing, troubleshooting and service upgrades via the plurality of differential signaling paths. 